If you don’t know what a Cantus Firmus is or what 1st species counterpoint is, please read these articles first:
2nd species counterpoint is two notes against one. Meaning the cantus firmus is a whole note and the counterpoint consists of two half notes.
Be sure to download a free counterpoint workbook! Click here.
2nd species counterpoint rules
In 2nd species counterpoint, you have to follow the rules of 1st species plus a few new rules.
- The downbeat is always consonant
- P1, P8, P5, P4, M3, m3, M6, m6, M10, m10
- The upbeat may be consonant
- The upbeat may be dissonant if it moves from the preceding note to the following note by stepwise motion
- If the upbeat moves by skip, it must be consonant
- Ending measures: cantus firmus in the lower voice requires a perfect 5th followed by a major 6th
- Ending measures: cantus firmus in the upper voice requires a perfect 5th followed by a minor 3rd
- Do not write a series of fifths or octaves on consecutive downbeats
Books to learn counterpoint
- Gradus Ad Parnasum by Joseph Fux (translated by Alfred Mann) is the go-to beginner book to learn counterpoint.
- Counterpoint in Composition: The Study of Voice Leading by Felix Salzer, Carl Schachter
2 notes against 1
In 2nd species counterpoint, the counterpoint is made of note durations half as long as the cantus firmus – i.e., counterpoint is half notes and the cantus firmus is whole notes. The first half note is the downbeat, and the second half note is the upbeat.
The downbeat must be consonant, and the upbeat may be dissonant if it moves from the preceding note to a consonance. The only kind of dissonance allowed on the upbeat is if it is “filling in the third.”
The first measure
You can begin with a consonance or a half rest.
The next to last measure and final measure
The penultimate measure (next to last) should have a fifth followed by a major sixth when the cantus firmus is in the lower voice. If the cantus firmus is in the upper voice, there should be a fifth followed by a minor third.
Be careful not to use F against B (fa and ti) because this is not a perfect fifth or perfect fourth, it is a tritone.
I recommend writing the ending before beginning your counterpoint exercise.
Beware of Parallel Fifths and Octaves
Do not write a series of fifths or octaves on consecutive downbeats.
Use a minor sixth or octave leap to separate the voices
Sometimes you get in a bind and the voices are too close together. You can use the leap of a minor 6th or an octave to separate the voices.
Steps for writing 2nd species counterpoint
- Step 1 – write the ending two measures
- Step 2 – write the beginning two measures
- Step 3 – look ahead and see if there are tricky leaps in the cantus firmus
- Step 4 – fill in the measures
- Step 5 – make sure you did not break the rules
As always, play and/or sing your work. This is one of the best ways to train your ear.
Remember, counterpoint is a compositional tool. These are exercises, so don’t take them so seriously that you don’t complete the exercises. Do your best. Check your work. Move on to the next exercise. Like anything else, it takes practice.
Continue on to 3rd Species Counterpoint here.
Free Counterpoint Workbook!
Practice writing counterpoint in all modes. Here is an awesome free download with cantus firmus ready for you to practice your counterpoint.